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There are many different combinations you can use.
Basically you can mount darn near any spring to any strut and not worry.
It all depends on your goal in mind.

You also have to figure in the overall shape of your suspension.

For you can throw money at the struts and springs.
However if your CAs, tierods, ball joints, various bushings, etc are on the way out.
It wouldn't matter if you had 4k coilovers. The ride will not be to potential.

That said. Strut/spring combos are various and driver specific at best.

Some like a stiff ride, some like a sport/comfort ride.

Best bet is to start with what you got and the eibachs. See how it feels.
That way you can gauge you strut purchase.

IMO in strut choices:

Koni
Bilstein
Sach supertourings
OEM (sach)

Only struts or strut/spring combos better than these are coilovers... and even that can be more complex.

There are many different combinations you can use.
Basically you can mount darn near any spring to any strut and not worry.
It all depends on your goal in mind.

You also have to figure in the overall shape of your suspension.

Mate,

Would you mind explaining how the various spring/shock setups function and the differences between them and why ? There is a dearth of reliable information on this on the net, and you clearly have been through the ringer on this before.

Would you mind explaining how the various spring/shock setups function and the differences between them and why ?
There is a dearth of reliable information on this on the net, and you clearly have been through the ringer on this before.

Much appreciated.

Don't know if serious

Lol. Just been in this same conversation elsewhere a year ago.

Without turning this into a lecture on physics, damping, rebound and such.
The differences and variations are dependant on the desired goal. But it's all linear.

He has two questions. Does he need to change his struts. No he doesn't have to.
If the car isn't a track car dropping the car on standard length struts will not hurt the car.
It's been done many times over, and I've done it with success as well. Even cut springs.
Removing the spring pads will not hurt but it's IMO keep the spring pads on there to be safe.

Second question was the combos people have or have experience with.
Ideal handling characteristics are driver dependant.
It's hard to compare someone else's ideal suspension to your own.
Some people like a good stiff suspension, Some like a more comfortable ride.
While others may fall in between.

So let's start with some missing details. What type of struts do you have?
Have you performed the maintenance to the front and rear end?
This is important. I've said it once I'll say it again...

Maintenance before performance (and if you can do both in the same stroke that's good too)
Good struts, new springs on bad CAs will ruin a wet dream.
For lowering the center of gravity on the car (depending on how low) will cause premature wear on your suspension components.
So if necessary get it up to snuff before you drop it.

When I went through my suspension adventure I wanted control of the handling characteristics.
I ran though several sets of struts and springs till a set of KW Inox Coilovers fell into my lap.
I also threw money, new parts, and poly into the rest of the suspension.

Again bring about the statement, Ideal handling characteristics is driver dependant.

Info on the physics of it would be important sir please turn this into a lecture we need our visiting proffs We can just have this thread linked into one of the stickies later.

Besides I'm not scholar on e34s nor have I ever claimed to be.
Just a guy who happens to love these cars.
Who learned a ton of things about them from experience and from some good people along the way. It is they who deserve all the credit.

There are actually tons of discussions on springs and shocks for the e34....

I would run either the eibachs or H&R's with good confidence. When I do, it will be with the Bilstein comforts already on the car.

Lowering the car lowers the center of gravity. Stiffer springs/firmer shocks, limit body movement enhancing control. These things also contribute to keeping the tires more squarely planted on the road enhancing traction. Those are the basics.

The different combinations result in all kinds of compromises from ride quality to ride hieght to handling balance. As mentioned there is tons of annecdotal discussion on the boards about what works.

Thank you for the input, especially MSDoll, and Roberto, for asking the REALLY tuff questions!

OK, in short, I want to make my car look better.
I have...something along the lines of Monroes front and back, less than a year old.
Nevermind how they got there.
The car is a salvage title, but I know, and can live with the reason why.

MSD, you are taking me to task, and making me really think what I want.
Yes, I want the car to look good, but I do drive very hard, and I know the car is capable of handling MUCH better.
As part of the drop, I will replace the sway bushings and links, and now I should obviously change the shocks to a better brand.
Damn, I just wanted to drop it a bit, but common sense tells me to spend the 2k, and have a virtual new car.
I will look forward to your advice.

I have 150k on the clock, and it is as spirited as can be.
19MPG, which is identical to the window sticker.
It took a hit to the a$$ end, and that is the reason for the ST.
If you search "pound puppy" you can see what a great looking car it is.

Thanks again.
MSD and all, thank you for the time you have spent on this.
Sled, it's good to see how well the "Anger Management" classes are working.
I appreciate your posts!

Now knowing what you got and your intensions.
I think you'll be fine with the eibachs and the monroes.
It will give you a entry level idea of how and what you want.
If you were planning to track the car.
I would suggest an upgrade on struts.

I haven't read the Pound puppy thread, But being that the car has been hit.
I'd first make sure that all the current suspension components are solid.
Again maintenance before performance.
I'd still grab the eibachs. but concentrate your efforts on getting the car to spec.

I tell this story all the time...

My current m30 car was a **** box rust bucket 5 speed when I bought it.
The PO tracked the car and it was a forum whore for many years (multiple owners)
So it had seen better days.
The only reason it wasn't salvage was because it wasn't salvage.

However the car had a solid engine and trans. Which was all I wanted.

I R&R'd and serviced everything on this car so far. Yes it's well sorted with zero rust now.
But I dropped more on maintenance and body work than anything else.

So basically I went from this:

to this:

That said, If your plan is to keep the car long term. Start to restore it.
Engine, drivetrain, suspension, Bodywork... then go performance and candy.

It may or may not happen quickly but you'll be much more pleased down the road when it dawns on you how freakin reliable these cars are when sorted out.

I'm inspired, to say the least!
I love the way your car is set up!
The air dam is...the sh*t.

Concur on the reliability of the E34.
I have to maintain an E39 too, and in comparison, there is NO mainenance for the E34!
It dawned long ago!

Engine and drivetrain are VERY solid.
The smog #'s are so low, it hardly registers.
The car had 120k when I bought it.
No un-even tire wear after 30k miles, so everything seems to holding together.
Let me tell you, I DRIVE this car.
My Indy has had it under the scope, and is confidant the car is sound.

OK, Eibachs are on order, and small steps will be taken to bring her back to glory.
Do you buy into removing the spring pads?
I know it has to affect the ride, but I wonder, to what extent, and safety?

Thanks again for the input, and pics.
I'm sure you will be getting much Aloha on them.

The most you'd have to do is change you front strut mounts. Rears go right in.

With the exception of e34s with sls suspension systems which deal with airride and such.
e34 Struts and springs are all interchangeable within the model line, e32, and e24 (e24 fronts yes, e24 rears ???).
Not sure if we can use e28 and e31 struts. But all four model lines also can swap brake calipers. Which in some cases are good cheap upgrades.